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Special Features

None.

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Once upon a time there were two children who grew up together - Azur, the blue-eyed son of a nobleman, and Asmar, the dark-eyed child of a nurse. As they grow up, the nurse tells them many enchanting stories, but their favorite is about a beautiful fairy waiting to be released from captivity by a good and heroic prince. The two boys are as close as brothers, until the day Azur's father cruelly separates them, banishing Asmar from his home and sending Azur away for private education. Some years later Azur sets out to a land far away to find Asmar and to see if the legend of the fairy is true. Finally reunited, Azur and Asmar set out to see who will be the first to rescue the fairy.

Amazon.com

Leisurely paced and intricately rendered, this computer-animated fable centers around two men from the Middle Ages who grow up as brothers, suffer a separation, and learn to live as equals again. North African nanny Jénane (Hiam Abbass in the French version; Suzanna Nour in the English) raises her brown-eyed son, Asmar, and his blue-eyed friend, Azur, but the latter comes from a line of noblemen. Jénane teaches the toddlers a song about a prince who rescues the Djinn Fairy from captivity. By boyhood, Azur lives in the castle, but continues to play with Azur, until his father sends him away to study and dismisses Jénane. As an adult, Azur experiences prejudice for the first time when he ends up in a North Africa village where the inhabitants view blue eyes as bad luck, so he keeps them closed and begs for his supper, like fellow Frenchman Crapoux. In the interim, Jénane and Asmar have become wealthy. With the help of the beggar, a tiny princess, and a Jewish sage, Azur competes with Asmar to free the fairy and make her his bride, but only one can prevail. French animator Michel Ocelet's follow-up to Kirikou and the Wild Beast moves slow by American standards, but the abundance of vibrant arabesque animation and absence of pop-culture wisecracks offers ample compensation. Though too complicated for some pre-schoolers, the DVD includes a British version with dubbed dialogue and subtitled French and Arabic songs. Anthony Minghella’s favorite composer, Gabriel Yared, provides the enchanting score. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

I can't recommend this film highly enough for children of all ages! Although the computer animation is a little stiff (the characters don't move very fluidly at times), the artwork is gorgeous, with eye-popping color! Especially beautiful are the intricate mosaics decorating the homes in the Arab kingdom -- Americans may not be aware that Islamic culture forbids drawings of people, hence in this film as in many famous real world mosques Arabs developed incredibly detailed geometric tile patterns for decoration.

This film has an excellent message of tolerance for other cultures and cooperation (since our heroes wouldn't succeed without help from one another and wise men and women from several different nations and religions). It also has very strong female characters, from the heroes' mother/nanny (who explains how she ignores prejudice and superstition to move forward and win), to the adorable Princess Chamsous Sabah, who exhibits the best demonstration of a proper princessing education I've ever seen on film!

Some American sensibilities may be put off by the nanny nursing her infant children at her breast in the beginning of the film, or the scene of Asmar disgustedly eating carrion when he is lost in the desert and on the brink of starvation; but I'd hope most adults would be smart enough to watch and explain this with their kids, rather than just hiding it. These brief scenes are a part of the mosaic of life, and hiding the world from children only stunts them in the long run.

I am holding a copy of the DVD in my hand, and the runtime is not 60 minutes. It is the original run time of 99 minutes. It has English and French versions on the disc, and subtitles in English or Spanish.

We saw this movie on the big screen, and I can't wait to own my own copy. As the parent of a 7 year old, we've seen a lot of children's movies (the well known Pixar and Disney titles as well as arthouse and foreign films for kids). In my opinion, this is the most beautifully made, and well told, animated film ever. That's a pretty high bar, I know, but I don't think I'm raising any false expectations.

I recommend this film without reservation to audiences of all ages who are in the mood to be transported by a good story, well told, and beautifully rendered.

I am a 9-year-old movie critic and 3rd grader from San Diego. I was honored to be invited to meet and interview Director Michel Ocelot (who directed "Azur & Asmar") in San Francisco on March 4, 2009 when this movie opened in SF. This is truly an unforgettable experience for me! My review was published on "We Chinese in America" newspaper on Feb 20, 2009. You can view photos of director Ocelot and me, and read more of my movie reviews on my website, and post your thoughts/comments:

Azur and Asmar is a visually stunning movie. The breathtaking colors capture the flair of the Arabian Nights. I especially liked the vibrant flowers. This movie is about courage, sacrifice, love, and brotherhood. It is one of my all time favorite movies!

This movie is truly SPECIAL because I got to meet the one-of-a-kind Director Michel Ocelot and interview him in San Francisco when he flew from his home country of France to appear at the opening of his movie in SF. Mr. Ocelot is a very enchanting man and I would love to learn more about him and his childhood in Africa. Meeting him is truly a MAGICAL experience!

Azur and Asmar are nursed under the loving care of Asmar's mother, whom Azur called "Nanny". Azur is a fair-skinned, blond-haired, blue-eyed boy. Asmar is a brown-skinned, hazel-eyed, and black-haired boy. One time, they roll in the mud while fighting with each other, and are covered with mud from head to toe. Another night, Asmar throws snacks to the starving Azur when he is punished by his brutal father.Read more ›

We loved both versions of Kirikou, so I was intrigued when a friend brought this to us to review.

Although the animation is slightly stiff at moments, the BEAUTY of this film is breathtaking at certain times. Ocelot has a unique visual style, which is evidenced in the Kirikou movies and comes out even more in this film.

I don't think I've ever seen color and patterns used this way in an animated film.

But beyond the visuals, this film has very sophisticated social messages that can reach children of all ages and certainly adults of any age.

Ocelot has a good understanding of the underpinnings of both Eastern and Western cultures, the virtues and vices of each, and he blends it all very well in his movies.

I do believe that Ocelot may be a "visionary". He understands that virtue can be measured by the "content of our character" and not the color of our skin, material wealth, or other external indicators.

The other thing I liked about this film was the relationship between the two 'brothers'. Ocelot has a very very good understanding of human relationships.. the relationships are not of the "canned" Hollywood animation type.... instead, they are very complex, difficult at times, but very realistic and believable.

If you like this film you should also see Kirikou and the Sorceress, another Ocelot film.

I highly recommend this film. Much better than some of the mindless stuff coming out of California.